Marilyn Narey, Baywood Avenue, received an award from the Art of the State exhibition in the Works on Paper category for her drawing: “Shorelines: How Do You Mark the Edge of the Sea?”

Art of the State, presented by the State Museum of Pennsylvania, is a competitive and prestigious exhibition. Of 2,344 applicants, Narey was one of 94 artists selected to be featured.

Narey began her career as a full-time transdisciplinary artist in 2023, opening a studio in Radiant Hall McKees Rocks and focusing primarily on 2D and 3D paperworks.

Narey’s art is informed by her past experiences, especially as a teacher. As an art teacher in the Canon-McMillan School District in the ’90s, Narey taught her students with a curriculum focused on bringing the arts together.

“I’m living what I was teaching,” said Narey, reflecting on her new career as an artist. “Each time you go into something new, you take your knowledge, skills, accomplishments and experiences to that.”

In addition to being a teacher, Narey has worked as a college professor and an academic scholar, with two master’s degrees and a doctorate in education, all of which influence her art.

Narey’s drawing is part of a larger project entitled “Mapping the Water,” which explores themes of change and sense-making.

Narey often visits the beach in North Carolina, and last year she found herself fascinated by the sea foam on the sand. It reminded her of threads in crochet and lace, and inspired her to write a poem entitled “Shorelines: How Do You Mark the Edge of the Sea?”

The poem is the namesake of her award-winning drawing and the inspiration for her entire project. A line from the poem reads, “You must know that to map the sea/ is to map change itself.”

She drew “Shorelines” with graphite and color pencil, depicting four maps floating on foam to symbolize the impermanence of the water’s edge.

“Everybody has experienced change in their lives, and if you think about how the edge of the water doesn’t stay the same, neither does your life,” she said.

Narey encourages people to create their own maps through life and hopes to “prompt thinking about something in a wider and deeper way.” Providing a multisensory experience, she incorporates various words, sounds and textures in her art.

“You engage different people in different ways, and I want to have a conversation, even just through that piece, I want you to think,” said Narey.

For more information about Narey’s private collection and gallery pieces, go to pulpandpaperworks.com or her Instagram page @narey_studio117.